NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Footprints without Feet: Ch 9 Bholi

1.Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?AnswerBholi’s father was worried about her as she had neither good looks nor intelligence. He did not know how he would find a suitable groom for her.

2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?Answer

Bholi is sent to school because there is little chance of her getting married, with her ugly face and lack of sense.

Page No: 55

Read and Find Out1. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?

Answer

Yes, Bholi enjoys her first day at school as she was glad to find so many girls almost of her own age present there. She hoped that one of these girls might become her friend.

2. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home?

Answer

Yes, she finds her teacher different from the people at home as the teacher was polite and this touched her heart.

Page No: 58

Read and Find Out1. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?AnswerBholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal becsuse if they don’t accept it, she would not be married for the rest of her life.

2. Why does the marriage not take place?AnswerThe marriage does not take place because the groom demanded dowry.

Page No: 62

Think about It1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?AnswerBholi had many apprehensions about going to school. She remembered how their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and sold. When she got a clean dress, bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry hair,only then she felt that she was going to a better place than her home.

2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?AnswerBholi’s teacher played an important role in changing the course of her life. She was polite and friendly which touched her heart. She encouraged her every time and was affectionate towards her and said to Bholi to put her fears of not able to speak aside. The teacher transformed her into a confident person who could read, write and speak clearly.

3. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?

AnswerBholi at first agreed to an unequal match because she was lucky to get a well-to-do bridegroom who owned a big shop, had a house of his own and had several thousand in the bank. Moreover, he was not asking for any dowry. Bholi also heard her mother saying that he did not know about her pock-marks and her lack of sense. If the proposal was not accept she might remain unmarried all her life. She later rejected the marriage because the bride groom demanded five thousand rupees as dowry. On seeing the father pleading and humiliated she decided not to marry him.

This tells us that she has self respect and knows what is right or wrong and is able to take a wise decision.

4. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?

AnswerThe world Bholi means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton hardly expressing her opinion. The word Sulekha means the person with beautiful sense of letters. In this story this word has a larger meaning of being a literate, intelligent and mature individual. After her education Bholi has really changed to Sulekha and her assertion during marriage is her announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi but Sulekha.